Saturday, December 1, 2012

Brown Recluse Bite Update

Well, I've been way too busy to post an update on my Brown Recluse bite, so let me catch you up.

Saturday, the 24th, I went back to the ER for a follow up. I had 93 random bruises all over my body and the rash was worse. It felt like my skin was on fire! The doctor took one look at me and said I was having an allergic reaction to the antibiotics they gave me on Thursday. The nurse came in and stabbed me in he back of the arm with an epipen and a respiratory therapist tried to give me a breathing treatment, but when I asked her why I needed one, she looked at the nurse and said, "Ummmm.... I don't know." So I politely responded with, "Then I don't want it. I want to speak with the doctor again."

They also gave me 3 super strength steroids and a Claritin.

So the doctor comes back and I call my dad to come find me in the ER. I argue with the doctor for a bit on his treatment and ridiculous diagnosis (he said the bite wasn't infected and that I don't need to be on any medication besides steroids and antihistamines.). After 2 more hours, I'm released an told to follow up with my family doctor in 3 days.

Three days later, I see my family doctor who couldn't believe that the ER doctor took me off all antibiotics. She gave me some really strong meds reserved for MRSA to treat the staph infection that had developed in my leg and was spreading to my bloodstream, causing a horrible, itchy, red rash all over my body. I was literally crawling out of my skin, it was so itchy!

Today, the 1st if December, I'm finally startling to feel better and the red rash is almost all gone. The bite is now caved in and still infected, but doing better.

I go back on Tuesday, the 3rd, for yet another follow up. Hopefully it will be the last, but I might have to have the infection cut out via surgery.

I was not a big fan of spiders before, but now I'm terrified! Apparently it's rare to be bitten by a brown recluse, and even more rare to have a systemic reaction like I did. And on top of all that, I'm allergic to the venom! A friend of mine suggested I buy a lottery ticket with all this luck!

I'll post again later if there's any new updates.

A. J. Spindle